Lifehack logo

9 Surprising Facts About Arthritis You Can't Stop Reading

A Closer Look To The Arthritis

By Kathy CollinsPublished 4 years ago • 4 min read
Arthritis Pain

As we all know, arthritis is not entirely curable. However, the treatments available will help you live the life you've always wanted to live.

About one in four US adults (23.7%), or 58.5 million people, have arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

A Closer Look To The Arthritis

Even though the term "arthritis" refers to a wide range of common joint illnesses, the majority of individuals are unaware of the facts about arthritis that are mentioned here. Let's take a closer look at the three most prevalent types of arthritis before diving into some of the most fascinating and unexpected facts about it, as well as how physical therapy may be able to help with symptom relief.

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gout

Fibromyalgia

Childhood Arthritis

About 120 disorders affecting the body's joints, muscles, and other soft tissues are collectively referred to as arthritis. Let's learn additional facts about arthritis that are similar to this one.

Interesting Facts To Know About Arthritis

Some forms of arthritis may have systemic effects

The most typical signs of arthritis pain are stiffness, and swelling in the joints. However, some autoimmune and inflammatory types of arthritis, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, also cause inflammation in numerous other tissues throughout the body, a condition known as having "systemic effects" and not just in the tissue lining the joints.

There is no cure for arthritis

Although there is no 100 per cent cure for arthritis, you can control the symptoms and avoid the pain and inflammation. Physical therapy is the most dependable arthritis treatment. It is a treatment that can increase your strength and mobility while also bringing complete comfort.

Arthritis might result in different lifestyle diseases

Due to increasing pain, patients who experience the symptoms of arthritis, such as pain and stiffness, frequently do not get enough exercise. Exercise has also been shown to be a natural stress reliever, and this has an impact on physical and mental health. Therefore, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity may develop due to arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition

Usually, your immune system recognises and combats bacteria, viruses, and other pathogenic organisms. When you have an autoimmune disorder, your immune system misinterprets a portion of your body as an outside intruder and launches an attack against that tissue. The tissue that lines the inside of your joints, the synovium, is damaged by your immune system, which leads to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The lining becomes irritated as a result, and you experience swelling, discomfort, and stiffness.

Kids Are Affected by Arthritis

You probably believe that this only occurs as you get older. However, youngsters can also experience the agony of arthritis. The most prevalent form of rheumatoid arthritis in children, affecting those between the ages of 1 and 3 or 8 and 12, is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. About two times as many females get it as boys. According to a recent survey, there are 250 children worldwide who have arthritis.

Obesity raises the danger

One of the main factors contributing to osteoarthritis is being overweight, especially in the case of joints that bear weight, such as the knees and less stretched hips. However, joints also have a greater risk, including the hands, big toes, back, and ankles. Therefore, if you wish to prevent developing arthritis, you should first focus on losing weight.

Arthritis risk rises with injuries

Osteoarthritis is more likely to occur in injured joints (OA). While people with hip injuries are three times more likely to develop OA, those with knee injuries have a six-fold increased likelihood. So, if you get hurt or have an accident, try to contact a local physician or physical therapist. The key to treating arthritis is early detection. Before it worsens your arthritis, heal it.

Weather cannot heal

People mistakenly believe a warmer temperature causes arthritis, while wet, chilly climes do not. But that's not the case, regrettably. Orthopaedics verified that both warm and cold areas had a similar frequency. Warm environments, however, are more comforting for hurting joints. Identifying the source of your pain & heal it with physical therapy as soon as possible is preferable.

Older Women are More Prone to Arthritis

The incidence of arthritis in elderly women is another frequently ignored truth concerning the condition. Statistics indicate that women are much more likely to develop arthritis, except for gout. Women are two times as likely than males to get arthritis, according to the Arthritis Community, Research & Evaluation Unit.

Summing Up

Although there is no known cure for arthritis, it can initially be effectively controlled with the assistance of a healthcare professional employing exercise, physical therapy, medication, and stress reduction. Joint replacement surgery is the closest approach to a solution for arthritis when it has gotten severe and ceased responding to more conservative therapies. You should make a speedy appointment at the nearest physical therapy facility if you are struggling with arthritis. They have the best selection of tools & methods to deliver successful results. Additionally, their physical activities help you stay active and swiftly reach your physical peak.

health

About the Creator

Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.

Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed.

Subscribe For Free

Reader insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment
    Written by Kathy Collins